Electro-sonic apparatus



April 15, 1958 M. E. DE GROFF ELECTRO-SONIC APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 31, 1957 o o a n a on 49 Fig.5

a I v x IN V EN TOR. Mark E. 026/122 ATTORNEY M. E. DE GROFFELECTRO-SONIC APPARATUS April 15, 1958 3' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31,1957 Fig. 6

16 INVENTOR Mark E. De Groff ATTORNEY Z Fig 7 April 1 1958 M. E. DEGROFF 2,830,5'Z8

ELECTRO-SONIC APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR,Mark E. De Groff BY ATTORNEYQDWIZ jz 7* United States Patent 1 2,830,578ELECTRO-SONIC APPARATUS Mark E. DeGroif, Tulsa, Okla. ApplicationJanuary 31, 1957, Serial No. 637,420 7 Claims. (Cl. 128-245) Thisinvention relates to improvements in electrotherapy apparatus and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to a combination low voltagegenerator and co-acting ultra-sonic applicator to provide simultaneoussynchronized low voltage current and ultra-sonic energy for medicaltherapy.

Medical science in recent years has found it very beneficial to employelectrical current for muscle stimulation in the treatment of sprains,strains, dislocations, fractures and the like. Electro-therapy currentis applied to the muscles controlling the injured joint to counteractatrophy of the muscles due to disuse and nutritional reflex, and alsoaids in removing exudates, and minimizes the formation of adhesions. Theelectro-therapy currents may be produced from a low voltageelectro-tnerapy generator, such as disclosed in the Lawrence R. Paustand Mark E. DeGroff Patent No. 2,764,683 issued September 25, 1956,wherein electrode pads are disposed on the skin of the patient fortransmitting the electrical stimulator to the muscle. Three types ofelectrical current are generally utilized in such electro-therapytreatment, i. e., pulsating current having instantaneous rectifiedpulsations with rest periods between each pulsation to cause twitchcontraction of normally innervated muscles, tetanizing current whereinaudio oscillations are superimposed on rectified electrical half wavesto produce constant tetanic muscle contraction, and a surge form ofcurrent which is obtained by turning the tetanizing current off and onat predetermined periodic time intervals so as effect graduated musclecontractions.

Ultra-sonic therapy has also become of great utility in the medicalscience field during recent years in the treatment of osteo-arthritis,bursitis, adhesions and the like. The mechanical vibrations created in asound head applicator by ultra-sonic radio frequencies have the facilityof producing a sufiicient mechanical eifect, or vibration withoutoverheating. The stimulation produced by the mechanical vibrations setup in the sound head applicator has proven very satisfactory inproducing relief from pain, soreness and tenderness associated with agreat variety of physical disturbances which respond favorably tomassage an similar therapy.

The present invention contemplates a novel medical therapy apparatuswhich combines the electro-therapy and ultra-sound application toproduce new and completely different therapeutic action than that whichresults from the utilization of either therapy provided separately. Thenovel apparatus combines a low voltage generator and an ultra-sonicapplicator through a single electrode to produce a simultaneous,superimposed synergistic action of combined ultra-sonic andelectro-therapy. The combined results produce a therapeutic synergisticaction not capable with single apparatus when used independently. Thenovel therapeutic action may result in a completely new field ofendeavor in the use of electrical and mechanical muscle stimulation formedical therapy for producing new and greatly increased patienttreatment results.

it is an important object of this invention to provide a novel medicaltherapy apparatus for producing a superimposed synergistic action ofcombined ultra-sonic and electro-therapy.

It is another object of this invention to transmit through a singleelectrode both a low voltage current and an ultra-sonic radio frequencyfor producing an improved therapeutic action.

And still another object of this invention is to combine through asingle electrode both the low voltage current of a low voltage generatorand the ultra-sonic radio frequency by grounding one side of the twocircuits to a chassis for the apparatus, thereby producing a combinedaction for the electrical therapy treatment.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic andelectro-therapy apparatus which is coordinated in one compact andportable unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide a medical therapyapparatus wherein a plurality of electrode pad members and a sound headapplicator are electrically grounded to a common ground for producingco-acting electrical stimulation and mechanical vibrations for patienttreatment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a medical therapyapparatus wherein a low voltage generator and ultra-sonic radio wavetransmitter are combined and electrically coordinated to produce dualelectrical and mechanical stimulation for patient treatment for agreatly improved therapeutic action in the treatment of a variety ofpatient illnesses.

And a still further object of this invention is to provide anovelmedical therapy apparatus wherein the co-acting electrical andmechanical stimulation thereof may be automatically timed or controlledto provide predetermined treatment dosages for patient treatment.

It is another object of this invention to provide a medical therapyapparatus providing electrical stimulation and mechanical vibrationswhich may be either selectively energized or simultaneously actuated forpatient treatment in a variety of painful diseases.

And still another object of this invention is to provide a novelultra-sonic and electro-therapy apparatus which is simple and economicalin construction and durable and efiicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description, read in conjunction with the acompanyingdrawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel electrotherapy andultra-sonic apparatus.

Figure 2 is a top view of the ultra-sonic portion of the novelapparatus.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the sound portion of the novel apparatus.

Figure 4 is a top view of the low voltage generator portion of the novelapparatus.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the low voltage generator portion of thenovel apparatus.

Figure 6 is an electrical circuit diagram of the low voltage generatorportion of the apparatus.

Figure 7 is an electrical circuit diagram showing the wiring cable forelectrically interconnecting the low voltage generator and the soundportion of the apparatus.

Figure 8 is an electrical circuit diagram of the sound portion or radiofrequency transmitter portion of the apparatus.

Figure 9 is a sectional elevational view of the sound head applicatorfor the novel apparatus.

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the basic structurefor combining the low voltage generator and ultra-sonic radio frequencythrough a single electrode.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 refers ingeneral to a combined low voltage generator and ultra-sonic radiofrequency apparatus. A sound head applicator indicated at 12 isoperatively connected to a radio frequency generator to provide soundwaves for producing mechanical vibrations from the sound head 12 in amanner as will be hereinafter set forth. The ultrasound section 14(Figs. 2 and 3) functions as a trans Patented Apr. 15, 1958- mitter fortransmitting radio waves preferably at one megacycle. This transmissionis filtered to avoid radio frequency interference by a suitable linefilter 13 which is electrically grounded at 15 (Fig. 7). Theelectrotherapy apparatus 10 is adapted for connection to any alternatingcurrent line with voltage preferably ranging from one hundred ten to onehundred twenty-five volts, and with a frequency between fifty and sixtycycles. The unit may be connected with the line voltage by means of asuitable plug member 16 (Fig. 7). In this manner, electric current issupplied to the apparatus or unit 19 through a series connected fuse 17and the line filter 13.

The ultra-sound section 14 (Figs. 2, 3 and 8) comprises a self-excitedoscillator 18, a full-Wave voltage doubler power supply consisting oftwo radio tubes 20, and a quartz crystal transducer 22 (Fig. 9). Thevoltage doubler tubes have their plates and filaments tied into asuitable ultra-sound power transformer 2 (Figs. 2 and 8). Thetransformer 24 in the present instance supplies current to the tubes 2!at approximately six hundred volts, but not limited thereto. The tubes20 [function to double the voltage, and therefore discharge a voltage oftwelve hundred volts to the oscillator 18. The oscillator tube 18 inturn supplies radio frequency power to a coaxial cable 26 (Figs. 8 and9) through a suitable tuning condenser 28 and coil 30. The cable 26transmits the radio frequency waves to an electrode member 32 through asuitable connector member 34 provided in the sound head 12. Theelectrode 32 is disposed adjacent the quartz crystal member 22 andtransmits the radio waves to the crystal whereupon the crystal isresonated or vibrates at its natural frequency. In the present instance,the crystal member 22 is preferably polished or ground in such a mannerthat it will vibrate only at a frequency of one megacycle per second.Thus, the tuning condenser 28 is suitably adjusted to resonate the coilfor producing a vibrating frequency of one megacycle per second in thecrystal. The shielding wire 36 of the coaxial cable 26 acts as a secondconductor of the radio frequency circuit and is suitably connected tothe body of the sound head applicator 12 at a point 3S for electricalgrounding.

As hereinbefore set forth, the crystal 22 is caused to vibrate by theradio waves transmitted thereto by the electrode member 32. Thevibratory motion of the crystal 22 produces ultra-sonic waves which aremechanical energy. The ultra-sonic waves or vibrations emitted from thecrystal 22 produce mechanical compressions and rarifications which aremuch the same as those produced by the vibrating strings of a violin ora piano. As has been determined by many medical associations, the energyproduced for ultra-sound therapy is the tremendous number of vibrationsof the crystal per second, which produce vibrations of an ultra-sonicnature so close together that they produce a disturbance of cell size inthe tissues of the patient being treated. This cell size disturbance isoften called cell massage or micro-massage. The mechanical effect of theultra-sonic vibrations on the cell molecules of the human or animaltissues causes an agitation of the molecules, which has proven to bevery beneficial in the therapeutic treatment of patients.

A suitable perforated plate member 29 (Fig. 2) is preferably providedfor the sound section 14 for facilitating the flow of air around theelectrical components thereof and avoid any overheating during theoperation of the apparatus 10. The electrical components of the soundcircuit also include a plurality of suitable condenser members 31, 31a,31b, 31c and 31d, as well as a potentiometer 33, a plurality of resistormembers and 35a and a choke member 37 operably connected in theelectrical circuit to assure an efficient operation of the sound section14 It will be apparent that the electrical wires interconnecting theelectrical components of the sound section 14 have been omitted fromFigs. 2 and 3 for purposes of illustration. A suitable handle or clampmember 39 is preferably provided on the chassis 11 in the proximity ofthe sound head member 12 for receiving and storing the sound head 12when the sound head member is not being utilized for patient treatment.

The transformer 24 receives electric current from the connection of theplug member 16 with the line current, as hereinbefore set forth. Theplug connections 41 and 92 of the complementary Jones connectors J and P(Figs. 7 and 8) connect the transformer 24 with the one hundred ten voltalternating current line current in a manner well known in the art.

Ultra-sonic energy cannot pass through the atmosphere, therefore, somesuitable medium must be provided to conduct the sound waves from thecrystal member 22 or sound head 12 to the various tissues of the patientbeing treated. Suitable mineral oil may be applied to any relativelysmooth areas of treatment, and in the case of an irregular area, such asa hand or foot, the part to be treated may be immersed in water in orderthat maximum transmission of the sound energy will occur. When mineraloil is being used, it is preferable to apply a sufiicient quantity tothe skin on the area being treated, and then spread the oil over thearea with the sound head 12. When the underwater method is being used,it is preferable to move the applicator 12 slowly over the area beingtreated while maintaining a space of one-half to one inch between thesound head 12 and the part being treated. The applicator or sound head12 is so designed and constructed that the entire applicator and cordmay be immersed in the water. I

The electro-therapy portion of the apparatus 10 comprises two pairs ofelectrode pads 40 and 42 operably connected to the low voltage generatorsection generally indicated at 44 (Figs. 4 and 5). The pads 40 and 42may be color coded in order to distinguish between them, such as havingthe pads 40 of a black color and the pads 42 a red color. Forclarification, the pair of pads 42 will be hereinafter designated pad 42and the pair of pads 40 will be referred to as pad 40, since in theapplication of electro-therapy the pair of pads are used together.However, in the utilization of the pads 49 in conjunction with the soundhead 12, only a single pad 40 is utilized as will be hereinafter setforth.

A pair of similar hinged door members 40a and 42a are provided on thechassis 111 to enclose suitable storage chambers (not shown) provided inthe chassis 11 for storing the pad members 40 and 42 during periods ofnonuse.

The low voltage generator 44 is an automatic muscle stimulator whichdevelops alternating, interrupted, or modulated current, and is similarto the device shown in the L. R. Paust et a1. patent heretoforementioned. The low voltage circuit (Fig. 6) comprises an oscillator 46with self rectification of the voltage, and a timing motor 48 which isoperably connected to the pads 40 and 42 in a manner as will behereinafter set forth. The electric input power is supplied to thegenerator portion 44 through the plug member 16, as previously setforth. Both sides of the alternating current line voltage are filteredthrough the line filter 13 to prevent radio interference. The linevoltage or current is directed to the timing motor 48 and through arelay mechanism 49 to a transformer 50 for passing the current on to thepads 40 and 42.

The timing motor 48 is mechanically connected to a plurality of timingcam members 52 and 54 for rotation of the cams in any well known manner(not shown). The cam members 52 and 54 are in electrical connection withthe relay 4? through suitable microswitch members 56 and 58,respectively. The operation of the timing motor 48 may be controlled bya suitable knob member 57 located on the face panel 59 of the unit 10(Fig. l). The timer knob 57 may be utilized in any well known manner topre-set or determine the period of time for actuation of the motor 48.For example, the knob may be set at substantially any time intervalbetween two minutes and fifteen minutes in order that the operation ofthe motor 48 will be automatically terminated after the Selected timeperiod has elapsed. The timer may also be turned 01f manually or thetime period may be increased or decreased at will.

The cam member 52 is provided with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced radially extending shoulder portions 53 which are preferablydesigned and spaced to alternately open and close the microswitch 56 inapproximately one second cycles. Thereby the current from thetransformer 50 will alternate between the pad 40 and the pad 42according to the one second time cycle. In other words, the pad 40 willbe energized and the pad 42 will be simultaneously de-energized for aperiod of approximately one second, and then the pad 40 will bede-energized and the pad 42 will be simultaneously energized forapproximately one second. This produces a pulsating current to the padsfor alternate electrical stimulation for patient treatment.

In a similar manner, the cam member 54 is preferably constructed with aplurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending shouldermembers 55 which are designed and spaced for alternately opening andclosing the microswitch 58 in approximately three second cycles, therebyalternately supplying current to the pads 40 and 42 in three secondtimevcycles. The selection of operation of the one second or the threesecond timing cam is selective as will be hereinafter set forth and isusually a matter of choice according to the patient treatment dosagedesired.

A surge cam member 60 is suitably mechanically con- I nected to thetiming motor 48 for rotation thereby in a similar'manner as that of theearns 52 and 54. The surge cam member 60 is in electrical connectionwith the relay 49 through a microswitch 62. The surge cam member isdesigned in a similar manner as the cams 52 and 54 for alternatelyopening and closing the switch 62. The switch 62, however, provides forsupplying current to both the pads 40 and 42 simultaneously instead ofalternately as hereinbefore set forth in the case of the cams 52 and 54.The surge cam 60 produces a surge type of electrical energizationthrough the relay 49 such that the pads 40 and 42 are simultaneouslyenergized for a period of approximately six seconds and then both areoff for a period of approximately four or five seconds, therebydeveloping a surge type stimulation for the patient treatment.

The cams 52, 54, and 60 may be selectively operated or energized by asuitable gang switch or selector switch 64 which functions to select thedesired operating circuit or current for the low voltage generatorportion 44. The selector switch 64 functions in a well known manner forselective operation of the low voltage generator 44 and will behereinafter set forth in detail. Thus, either the cam 52, the cam 54, orthe cam 60 may be in operation to produce desired functioning of thepads 40 and 42 depending upon the position of the selector switch 64.

The selector gang switch 64 also functions to select an automatic timingoperation of the pads 40 and 42, if desired. In the automatic positionof the switch 64 to be hereinafter set forth, a pair of automatic timingcam members 66 and 68 are placed in electrical connection with the relay49 through the microswitch members 70 and 72, respectively. The cammembers 66 and 68 are mechanically connected to the timing motor 48 forrotation thereby as hereinbefore set forth. The cam members 66 and 68are timed to rotate in unison in order to coact for control of thesupply of electrical current to the pads 40 and 42. They are so timedthat during one complete simultaneous revolution of each cam member bothmicroswitches 70 and 72 are closed for a certain .period of time, thenonly the microswitch 70 is closed while the. switch 72 is open foranother period of time, and then only the microswitch 72 is closed withthe switch is open for the remaining period of time during the camrevolution cycle. When the cams 66 and 68 are in the position shown inFig. 6, both themicroswitches 70 and 72 are closed, thereby providing asteady or tetanizing current to both of the pads 40 and 42. As the earns66 and 68 continue rotating in a clockwise direction as viewed in thedrawings, the cam 66 disengages from the switch 70 whereby the switch 70is opened and only the switch 72 is closed, thereby producing apulsating current to the pads 40 and 42. A continued rotation of thecams 66 and 68 brings the cam 66 back into contact with the switch 70and moves the cam 68 out of contact with the switch 72, thereby openingthe switch 72 and closing only the switch 70. This produces a surgecurrent for the pads 46 and 42. Thus, the automatic earns 66 and 68provide for a patient treatment cycle including the three types ofcurrent, pulsation, surge and tetanizing, in succession throughout theselected time period of patient treatment.

The selector switch circuit is shown in Fig. 7. The selector switch 64is any well known type of gang switch and as shown herein comprises aplurality of wafer members A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Each of the wafermembers is provided with a wafer arm member 65. All of the wafer armmembers 65 are adapted for simultaneous rotation on the respectivewafers upon manual rotation of the switch knob 64:: (Fig. 1) located onthe top panel 59. The arm members 65 physically contact the terminals orsteps (clearly indicated in Fig. 7) of the wafer members according tothe disposition of the knob 64a in order to establish electricalconnections in the well known manner for operation of the low voltagegenerator 44 as will be hereinafter set forth. Thus, the knob 64a may bemanually positioned as desired to select the type of current requiredfor operation of the low voltage generator 44 in accordance with thepatient treatment requirements.

In one position of the knob 64a, the arm members 65 are positioned withrespect to the wafer members of the switch 64 in such a manner thatelectrical communication is established through the connections 67 and69 of the complementary Jones connector members I and P The electricalconnection between the members 67 and 69 supplies electrical current tothe motor 48 in a mannor to energize the automatic timing earns 66 and63 for producin an automatic timing for the electrical energization ofthe pads 40 and 42, as hereinbefore set forth. In another position ofthe knob 64a, the arms 65 of the switch 64 are moved on the wafermembers to provide electrical connection between the terminals 71 of themembers I and P as well as the terminals 67. The electrical connectionbetween the terminals 71 and 67 supplies electrical current forenergizing the microswitch 56 of the one second pulse cam 52, therebyselecting the one second cam for operation or energization of the pads4i) and 42 to provide a one second pulse type current as hereinbeforeset forth. In yet another position of the switch knob 64a, the terminals73 of the complementary plug members 3 and P are connected as well asthe terminals 67 to place the microswitch 58 of the three second cammember 54 in the electrical circuit, thereby selecting the three secondcam for energization of the pads 4i) and 42 to provide a three secondpulse type current. Another position for the switch knob 64a places theterminals 75 as well as the terminals 67 in con nection to place themicroswitch 62 of the surge cam 60 in the electrical circuit forenergization of the pads 49 and 42 to provide a surge current. And yetanother position of the switch knob 64a places the terminals 77 inconnection as well as the terminals 67 to place the automatic timingearns 66 and 68 in the electrical circuit for energization of the pads40 and 42 to provide surge, tetanizing and pulsating current insequence.

The line current is supplied to both the low voltage generator portion44 and the sound portion 14 through the plug member 16. The plug 16 is apart of the .cable wiring circuit shown in Fig. 7. The cable wiringcircuit functions to electrically connect the sound portion 14 with thelow voltage generator portion 44 and the line current. The selectorswitch 64 is in the cable wiring circuit, and functions to provideelectrical connection of the pulse cams 52, 54, the surge cam 60, or theautomatic timing earns 66 and 68 to the pad members 40 and 42 throughthe connections 74 and 76 as hereinbefore set forth. A switch 78 isprovided in the cable wiring circuit to ground the pad 40 when the soundhead 12 is being used, as will be hereinafter set forth. A switch member80 is also provided in the cable wiring circuit and is in connectionwith a power transformer 81 through a connection 83 to turn the lowvoltage generator portion 44 on or off, as desired. As hereinbefore setforth, the line current is simultaneously transmitted to the soundportion 14 through the connection 41.

A power meter 82 of the cable wiring is in connection with a variableresistor 33 of the sound portion through the connection 86, and isgrounded through the connection 88. The power meter 82 is disposed onthe top panel 59 and indicates the power output when the sound head 12is being utilized. The transformer 24 of the sound portion is inconnection with an on-off switch 90 of the cable wiring circuit througha connection 92 for alternately energizing and de-energizing the soundportion 14 as desired. A pilot light 93 is electrically connected in thecable wiring circuit and glows only when the power is on in the soundcircuit.

A switch 109 is provided in the cable wiring circuit (Fig. 7) to placeeither one or both of a pair of similar condenser members 192 and 104 ofthe low voltage circuit (Fig. 6) in the electrical circuit throughconnection between the terminals 106 and 198. the switch 106, only thecondenser 102 is in the electrical circuit, while another position ofthe switch 1M places both the condensers 104 and 1&2 in the circuit. Theelectric current collects in the condensers before being discharged intothe transformer 50. The current will accumulate up to the saturationpoint of the condenser and then discharge into the transformer 50 as iswell known. It will be apparent that the pulsation of the current willbe slower when both the condensers are in the circuit than when just oneof the condensers is included.

A volume control knob 110 (Figs. 1 and 6) is provided on the panel 59for controlling the volume of the pad 40 through the terminalconnections 11, 112 and 113 of the plug members I and P A similar volumecontrol knob 114 is provided on the panel 59 for controlling the volumeof the pad 42 through the terminals 115, 116 and 76 of the plug membersI and P The terminals 118 and 119 of the complementary connector members1 and P provide for a level control or sound intensity control for theultra-sound circuit (Fig. 8) through operation I of the control knob 129 located on the panel 59. A pilot light or pulse rate indicator 122 isprovided on the top panel 59, and is electrically connected with thecable wiring circuit (Fig. 7) to glow when the switch 80 is on and poweris being supplied to the low voltage generator section 44.

It will be apparent that a suitable electrical cord memher 126 (Fig. 1)extends from the plug 16 into connection with the apparatus 1% forelectrically interconnecting the unit with the line voltage.Furthermore, a suitable plug connection 128 may be provided on thecoaxial cable 26 for connecting the sound head 12'. with the apparatusit in any well known manner. In addition, a suitable potentiometer 139(Fig. 7) is operably connected with the wafer B of the selector switch64 and functions in any well known manner to vary or change the timeinterval between the electrical pulsations in the pulse type electriccurrent supplied to the pads 40 and 42. The operation of thepotentiometer 130 may be controlled by rotation of a suitable knobmember 132 (Fig. 1) pro- In one position of vided on the top panel 59.The control knob varies the pulse or twitch contraction of the pulsationcurrent in the pads 40 and 42 from approximately one per second to afull tetanizing by manually rotating the knob 132 in a clockwisedirection as viewed in the drawings.

Operation .In using the electro-therapy and ultra-sonic therapysimultaneously to produce a superimposed synergistic action in patienttreatment, both the switches and .90 may be positioned to place the lowvoltage section 44 and the sound section 14 in the electrical circuitfor the apparatus 10. It is usually desirable to use only one of the padmembers 40 when the sound head applicator 12 is being used in thismanner. The switch 78 is, therefore, preferably closed in order toelectrically ground one of the pads 40 (as shown in Fig. 10) at a point96 on the chassis 11. As shown in Fig. 10, the sound head 12 is alsoelectrically grounded at the point 96, thereby providing a common groundfor both the pad 40 and the sound head 12. In this manner, the chassis11 functions as the common ground for both the pad 40 and sound head 12,thereby combining the low voltage current and the ultra-sonic radiofrequency through a single electrode to produce a combined action forthe electrical therapy treatment.

The pad 40 and sound head applicator 12 are both movable, and may bemanually adjusted or moved on the skin or area of the patient to betreated as desired for the most effective treatment. The nervecontrolling the painful area is often remotely located with respect tothe actual pain. Thus, the ungrounded elecrode pad member 40 may bedisposed on the skin adjacent the remote nerve area and retained thereonin any suitable manner while the sound head 12 is moved along thesurface of the skin in the proximity of the actual painful area, therebyreadily stimulating both the controlling nerve areaand the painful area.For example, an arm muscle, or the like, may be treated by placing thepad 40 against one portion, such as the under portion of the arm, andthe sound head 12 may be movable adjacent the opposed portion, or uppersurface of the arm. In this manner, the electrical stimulation from thepad 40 and the sound head 12 and the sound waves emitting from the soundhead 12 coact for producing mechanical stimulation in the tissue cellsof the arm muscle in a synchronized manner with the electricalstimulation of the muscle, thereby providing a patient treatment resultnot possible with either type of stimulation form taken singly.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the electrical stimulationis discharged through the indifferent electrode pad 4% simultaneous witha discharge thereof to the sound head 12. Furthermore, the ultrasonicenergy produced by the sound portion 14 and sound head 12 emit from thesound head 12 in synergistic relation with the electrical stimulationalso emitting therefrom. As has been previously mentioned, the groundingof the electrode 49 and the sound head 12 at the common point 96 on thechassis 11 provides the above synchronized and combined action. Theindifferent electrode pad 40 is usually placed on the patient in aposition remote from the painful or area to be treated, which area issometimes called the motor area and receives the movable application ofthe sound head 12. In treatment, due to the remote location of the pad40, the patient is usually not as cognizant of the electricalstimulation of the pad 40, which is more significant in the sound head12 movable over the motor area particularly with the dual discharge ofboth electrical stimulation and mechanical energy therefrom.

It will be apparent that the low voltage generator section 44 of theunit 10 may be utilized for energization of the pads 40 and 42 withoutthe use of the sound head 12 when the on-otr' switch is positioned toplace the sound portion 14 out of the electrical circuit. The unit 10may thus be used for electrical muscle stimulation through usage of thepads 40 and 42 in the well known manner.

The sound portion or section 14 may be utilized without the low voltagegenerator portion 44, if desired. This is done by operation of theswitches 36? and 95 in such a manner as to turn the low voltagegenerator portion id off, and the sound section 14 on. In this manner,the sound head applicator 12 may be utilized for ultra-sonic patienttreatment in the well known manner.

By way of summation, the unit 19 is essentially utilized to provide asimultaneous and synchronized electrical and mechanical stimulation fortherapeutic treatment. A simultaneous and synchronized electrical andmechanical or ultra-sound stimulation is provided to a patients tissuesand muscles by positioning the switches 80 and 90 in such a position asto place both the electrical and sound circuit in the electrical circuitfor the unit 10. The pad 40 and the sound head 12 may be utilized in acoaction operation by closing the switch 78 for electrically groundingthe pad 40 and the sound head 12 to the chassis 11 at a common point toprovide a low voltage current and ultra-sonic radio Wave emissionthrough a single electrode, whereby the electrical and ultra-sonictherapy treatment is combined to produce an electroultra-sonic energywhich is beneficial in patient treatment not possible with eitherstimulation taken singly.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a novel medical therapy apparatus which permits a combinationor coaction of electrical and mechanical stimulation for the treatmentof a variety of muscular disorders and the like. The coaction betweenthe ultra-sonic stimulation of the tissue cells and the electricalstimulation of the tissues produces a therapeutic action which has asynergistic action to provide novel and unique therapeutic treatment inthis field of medical science. Thus, it may be possible to efiect anetliciency in the treatment of painful osteoarthirtis, bursitis, and thelike, not possible with any other type of patient treatment known to thefield of medical science today.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrang ment of parts asheretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, itbeing understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of theinvention may be made within the scope of the following claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A medical therapy apparatus comprising in combination, a low voltagegenerator, an ultra-sonic generator, an electrode connected to the lowvoltage generator, an electrode connected to the ultra-sonic generator,and means connecting said low voltage generator and the ultra-sonicgenerator whereby dual electrical and mechanical stimulation will beproduced through one electrode.

2. A medical therapy apparatus for patient treatment comprising incombination, a low voltage generator for producing electrical therapystimulation, electrode pad members connected to the low voltagegenerator for transmitting the electro-therapy stimulation to thepatient, an ultra-sonic generator for producing ultra-sonic energy, asound head applicator connected to the ultra-sonic generator fortransforming the ultra-sonic energy into ultra-sonic vibrations fortransmission to the patient, means operably coupling the low voltagegenerator and the ultra-sonic generator to produce simultaneouselectrical and mechanical energy to the sound head.

3. A medical therapy apparatus comprising in combination, a low voltagegenerator, an ultra-sonic generator, electrical circuit means forcoordinating the operation of the low voltage generator and theultra-sonic generator, electrode pad members operably coupled to the lowvoltage generator for producing electrical stimulation, a sound headapplicator member operably coupled to the ultrasound generator forreceiving the ultra-sonic waves 10 therefrom, means provided in thesound head applicator for transforming the ultra-sonic waves intomechanical vabrations, switch means provided in the electrical circuitmeans for selective operation of the low voltage generator portion andultra-sonic portion to provide a synergistic therapeutic action.

4. A medical therapy apparatus comprising in combination, a low voltagegenerator and an ultra-sonic generator, electrical circuit means forcoordinating the low voltage generator and ultra-sound generatortransmitter for simultaneous operation thereof, a timing motor forautomatic control of the low voltage generator, electrode pad membersoperably connected with the low voltage generator to produce electricalstimulation for medical therapy, said ultra-sound generator comprisingmeans providing a predetermined ultra-sonic wave output, a sound headapplicator operably connected to the ultra-sound generator for receivingthe ultra-sonic waves, means on the sound head for transmitting theultra-sonic waves into mechanical stimulation, switch means provided inthe electrical circuit means for selectively energizing the low voltagegenerator to provide variable types of electrical current therefor,means for electrically connecting the low voltage generator and theultra-sound generator to provide a dual electrical andultra-sonicmechanical stimulation having synergistic therapeutic action.

5. A medical therapy apparatus comprising in combination, a low voltagegenerator and a ultra-sound generator, electrode pad members operablyconnected to the low voltage generator for producing electricalsimulation for electro-therapy, a sound head applicator, a coaxial cablemember electrically interconnecting the ultra-sound generator and thesound head applicator, a crystal member provided in the sound headapplicator, said crystal member operably coupled with the coaxial cablefor receiving the ultra-sound energy for transformation thereof intoultra-sonic mechanical vibrations, and means operably coupling the lowvoltage generator and the ultrasound generator for producing combinedmechanical vibrations and electrical stimulation through the sound head.

6. A medical therapy apparatus comprising in combination, a low voltagegenerator and an ultra-sonic generator, means electrically coupling thelow voltage generator and ultra-sound generator, electrode meansoperably connected to the low voltage generator to provide electricalstimulation, means for receiving the ultra-sonic energy, means couplingwith the receiving means for transforming the ultra-sonic energy intoultra-sonic mechanical vibrations, said ultra-sonic mechanicalvibrations and electrical stimulation coacting to produce a superimposedsynergistic therapeutic action.

7. A medical therapy apparatus comprising a chassis member, a lowvoltage generator, an ultra-sonic generator, electrode pad membersoperably connected to the low voltage generator to produce electricalstimulation, a sound head applicator operably connected with theultra-sonic generator for transforming the ultra-sonic energy intomechanical vibrations, said low voltage generator and ultra-sonicgenerator electrically connected together whereby a superimposedsynergistic coaction between the electrical stimulation and mechanicalvibrations for medical therapy.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,410,499 Hinsey et al Nov. 5, 1946 2,704,064 Fizzell et al Mar. 15,1955 2,764,683 Paust et al. Sept. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,005,674France Dec. 26, 1951 293.294 Switzerland Sept. 15, 1953

